Indian automotive industry is one of the largest in the world, with a focus on safety standards and other risk-reduction measures. According to a recent update, India is preparing to launch the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), its test rating assessment system, tomorrow. India will thus become the fifth country to have its own crash test programme.

Following the announcement of the new development, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, emphasised that the new norms will assist raise the bar for road safety for motor vehicles, particularly those weighing up to 3.5 tonnes.

Bharat NCAP:

Car manufacturers can voluntarily test their vehicles under the new norms as per the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197, however, it is not compulsory to do so. Additionally, the Bharat NCAP will also help in increasing the export of Indian-manufactured vehicles by giving clients outside the country more safety.

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Do note that the testing agency will have the power to pick up any vehicle from the showroom and test it.

Bharat NCAP Protocols vs Global NCAP:

The upcoming Bharat NCAP ratings will be much similar to the Global NCAP ratings as it will be giving the ratings in terms of stars (between 1 to 5). The ratings will be offered to the car in terms of how it performs in the test and will get ratings for adult occupants (AOP) and child occupants (COP).

Bharat NCAP Parameters:

The organisations will test the cars based on a variety of criteria, such as how pedestrian-friendly they are, how safe they are structurally, whether they have active or passive safety support technology, and how safe they are for both adult and child occupants.

Bharat NCAP: Which Vehicles To Go Under Tests?

According to reports, the cars have been allowed for carrying up to eight passengers in addition to the driver, have a gross weight of less than 3.5 tonnes, are either made or imported into the country, and will be subjected to Bharat NCAP crash tests.

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The agencies, along with Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), will also be testing the CNG cars and EVs.